9 Home Fixes to Fake

Try these quick cover-ups — before guests descend.

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If the clutter has grown beyond container proportion, corral it in a corner under a sheet or blanket (or in a spare room, if possible). Add a sign, such as, "Secret Santa Work in Progress: Keep Out!" You'll get chuckles and probably some sympathy.

Beat-up Wood Floors

No need to sand and seal when a quick mop job will do. In GHRI tests, Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Refinisher ($14.99 for 32 ounces, woodfloorcare.com), applied with a microfiber mop, minimized deep scratches, erased small ones — and dried faster than you can say "12 drummers drumming." And may we introduce you to cheap holiday rugs and runners? If needed, pick up some under-pads to keep them in place.

Dirty Drapes or Blinds
Open the curtains as wide as they'll go (so less will show) and tie them back with ribbon from your gift-wrap stash. Ditto with blinds: Raise them to the top and hang an ornament from the pull. Guests may even compliment you on the clever touches.

Water Stain on Ceiling

As long as your ceilings are white, you can "make" paint by smoothly sponging on Wite-Out (however, you may want to keep the lights low for that particular dinner party). And don't draw attention upward — keep decorations at eye level or lower.

Nicked Table

You've got two choices: Marker it or cover it. For the former, try the GHRI's favorite furniture markers, the Guardsman Touch-Up Marker Kit ($4.50 for three, guardsman.com). Apply to scratch, buff with a soft cloth, and top with a coat of furniture polish. Or just institute your own cover-up: For coffee or end tables, arrange books, coasters, or nibbles on top, or drape with a nice scarf. For the dining room table, need we even say it? Haul out that holiday tablecloth.

Stained Tablecloth

Maybe the covering is a little worse for the wear, too. Have your kids cut out paper snowflakes to discreetly tape over problem areas. Scatter a few extras, so the look seems intentional. If all else fails, set serving trivets on top.

Grungy Carpet

GHRI gives top marks to the Woolite Pod tool from Bissell ($4.39, woolitecarpet.com for info), which cleans and fluffs fibers in minutes. Also, see previous rug fix for wood floors.

Scratched Baseboards

Your best bet: A stain-repair stick like Minwax Blend-Fil Pencil in a close hue (assorted colors, $4.49 each, minwax.com for details) — it's like concealer for your baseboard's blemishes. Second best: A Crayola marker can help stained-wood boards.

Broken Floor Tile

Plop a poinsettia on top and have a glass of eggnog. The exception: If it's in a high-traffic area, clear loose pieces, and point it out so guests don't trip. The explanation: "Hey, it's been a busy year!"